Freestyle competition in 2 weeks! Any advice on strategy??

[Bighoneydog]

Hi guys,

Honey and I are competing in a Canine Freestyle competition in 2 weeks time (July 18th) - we have been training very hard in the last few weeks (5-10mins, morning and evening, 5 days a week) and I'm worried that she might "burn out"...I'd heard from a lot of people that it's good to give your dog a break away from training - that they actually come back to you better...

Was just interested to get the opinions of those here who compete - do you find this is so? Do you think I should give Honey an extended break from the training? But then with only 2 weeks to go and still many areas to improve on, you sort of feel like you can't afford to take any time off! :)

Hsin-Yi

[ibveronica]

I'm sorry to say I have no opinion to offer on this subject. I merely want to wish you and Honey much success at the competition.
She is a smart, beautiful girl, and you have done so much with her already.
Good luck, we'll be pulling for you both!! :)

[Greenmagick]

Totally have no idea...however, if others have mentioned taking time off, and you feel Honey might be close to burn out, I would think it would be better to take a bit of a break now and then you still have some time to come back and polish it up.

Do you always train the routine in order? Maybe something like break for a day or two, and then come back with different order or just bits and pieces for a day or two before going back to regular? I really dont know though....kind of thinking about what I would do if it were one of my kids:)

[Bighoneydog]

Thanks for the tips!

I've been taking it a bit "easier" the last week or so - skipping training days - and just not taking it too seriously. We'll be joining the rest of the Paws 2 Music club members tonight to run through our routines so fingers crossed! :)

[SassySasha]

hi Hsin-Yi - i don't really have any advice regarding your post, but want to say that your practice sessions and freestyle show that i saw on the internet/youtube was absolutely fantastic! i played it over and over and over again. you and honey are great partners!

[humbug]

LOL! I love your videos!!! I'm in LOVE with Honey!!!

[Bighoneydog]

Aw...thank you everyone for your votes of confidence...I think we're going to need all the good wishes we can get!!

Well, we went to join the Paws 2 Music club last night to try out our routine - and I tried to do it without food, coz that is what we'll have to do in the real thing...in a week's time!!! - and...

well, I'll let Honey tell you what happened in her own words: :)

"My human is sad and mad with me because last night, we went to practise with the Serious Freestyle People (ie. manic Border Collies) and she said we had to do the routine without any treats.

What? No treats? No way!

I thought she was just joking but no...after about 5 moves into the routine, she still hadn't even given me a single crumb yet!

So I went on strike - just stopped and stood there, looking into space...hah! See if she likes that!
Poor human, she was still dancing away like mad by herself, kicking her legs like a demented Can-Can dancer...she looked so stupid!

Well, after a bit, I took pity on her and did a couple more moves...you know, maybe she would have gotten the idea after my first strike...but what? No way! She STILL didn't give me any treats! Well, I put the brakes on again!!

By now, I could see my human was getting mad - she was making frowny faces at me and her voice was starting to sound scary...so I thought (gulp), I'd better give her a couple of half-hearted moves...there, OK, satisfied?

No apparently not...she was really upset with me and pointed at all those other dogs there spinning and darting around like crazy and said that's what I should be like...WITHOUT treats...gosh, has she really lost it?? I mean, those are *Border Collies*, man - you know, they're barely dog - they're like that Terminator thing on the TV box...I'll bet if you peeled away their fur, you'd really see bits of machine inside...humph!

Anyway, so am now not in her good books...anyway, who cares. There's a nice patch of sunlight in the living room...am off to sleep in that." :)

[tarheelchick]

Hsin-Yi,

You are tooooo much!!!!roflmaoroflmaoroflmao

I loved that post and can totally see Honey saying that! Good Luck!

[raineth]

Hsin-Yi you should be back here telling everyone how great you both did!

Congratulations!
I enjoyed watching it all so much! And I can't believe Honey was (gasp) naughty! She is normally a complete Angel anglefly

[stainthedane]

How is she coming along?? Any progress???

[Bighoneydog]

Hi everyone,

Sorry - been busy and haven't really had time to visit the forums!

Thank you for asking - the competition was last Saturday and Honey went a bit nuts! You know I was worried about her not being motivated enough without food...well, I think I revved her up a bit TOO much before we went in (and I also started the routine by saying "Ready - Set - GO!" which made her think I was going to play a racing game) because she just went beserk! Started bouncing all over the place and totally missed as lot of her moves. As it was, we still got 1st place in Open but I don't really feel we deserved it. No, am not just saying that out of false modesty or something, and I hope it doesn't sound petty but you know when you KNOW your dog can do better? I don't care so much about the judge's score so much as feeling like we did the best we could and that was certainly not Honey's best performance! But anyway, it was really obvious she was enjoying herself and having fun! :) And that is what really matters anyway! I'd rather she was enthusiastic and bouncing around than plodding / sleep-walking like she sometimes does!

Anyway, if you'd like to watch a video of our routine and photos from our day at the competition, please go to: http://bighoneydog.com/1st-competition-new-routine/ (forgive me for not posting it all again here but it seems silly to repeat myself!)

Now we've just got to work on finding that balance between enthusiastic/excited BUT being in control and actually following her cues!! Next competition on the 15th August!

Hsin-Yi

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j78/hsinyicohen/HYHoney-ShadowCostume-GLOW.jpg

[Faye413]

I really enjoyed watching the video! Yeah, I could definitely tell that she was overly-excited, but she still did great! You two are so fun to watch together - what a terrific relationship you have! :) Good luck in August - and don't forget to update us on that one as well! Congrats!

[ouesi]

I know nothing about dance competition, but I just watched your video and LOVED it - what a great pair you two make, and what a sweet girl Honey is!

[Greenmagick]

The routine was great but even better was your breakdown of itroflmao YOu could totally see Honey's eyes in the video on "GO" and she went! She obviously had a blast:)

[stainthedane]

Wow was she ever happy!!! Lol, that was so great to see. The judges must have loved Honey's confidence, she was just so happy to be there!
It makes a big difference if a dog is there because they enjoy it, rather then being there hoping to get a treat. I think Honey was truly enjoying the performance and that's the big winner. You guys did really great!!
Lol I think one of my favourite parts was when you were being awarded and she's like "you can pick any one..." And Honey just pounces like:

"THAT ONE!!!!!" roflmao

Congratulations on your win! You're Number One!!! yay